Hawaii State Library Boosts Ebooks With Big Library Read Program

In a move to promote its growing eBook collection, the Hawaii State Public Library System (HSLPS) is inviting kids to borrow an eBook and/or audiobook version of Jane O’Connor’s Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth (which deals with the rarely heard-of problem of crime in the middle school classroom) later this month as part of the Big Library Read program.

“Big Library Read is an international program that provides libraries and library patrons unlimited simultaneous access to a popular title for a two-week period, creating a virtual, global book club,” stated a Sept. 11 press release from the state Library. “Interested patrons will be able borrow Book 1 in the Nancy Clancy series using a valid HSPLS library card, and enjoy on all major computers and devices… Titles will automatically expire at the end of the lending period so there are no late fees!”
While they Hawaii public libraries still offer books made of paper for us reading dinosaurs, they are rapidly increasing the size of their eBook collection.

“If you haven’t borrowed an eBook from our collection, now is the perfect time,” said state Librarian Richard Burns in the Sept. 11 press release. “Our HSPLS eBook collection is extremely popular and well-used, and eBook circulation is growing at a faster rate than any other materials collection. We offer more than 20,000 eBook and eAudiobook titles from the OverDrive/Digital Library Reserve.”